KR20110105387A - Accessory attachment mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, an accessory attachment mechanism having a low profile suitable for attaching an accessory to an electronic device is described. Straight hooks and bent hooks are configured to mechanically couple slots within the electronic device and couple the accessory to the electronic device. By moving one of these hooks or changing the shape of the slot, the accessory and the electronic device can be separated. The hooks may also carry current.

Description

Accessory attachment mechanism {ACCESSORY ATTACHMENT MECHANISM}

The present invention relates to an accessory attachment mechanism having a low profile suitable for attaching an accessory to an electronic device.

Electronic devices such as electronic book readers (e-book readers), mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable media players, tablet computers, notebooks, and the like may include accessories attached to the electronic devices. Can be. One example of an accessory is a cover that not only protects the electronic device but also enhances the aesthetics and identity of the electronic device.

Accessories can be attached to electronic devices using various mechanisms at various locations. Factors that determine the attachment location and attachment method are the form factor of the electronic device, the location of the user interface such as a button, the location of the attachment port, the appearance and feel, and the appearance of the electronic device. Includes features For example, the electronic device may use buttons arranged around the perimeter of the case of the device to accommodate the user's input. In addition, the electronic device may have a port for connecting other electronic devices or external peripherals along the edges of the device.

Existing methods of attaching an accessory, such as a cover, to the electronic device may impair the user's ability to access buttons arranged around the periphery of the case of the device or may obscure the attachment port along the edge. In addition, methods of attaching accessories to the device, such as using adhesives, sewing, and the like, complicate the assembly and make it impossible or impractical to separate the cover from the electronic device.

summary

As described above, accessories may be attached to electronic devices such as e-book readers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable media players, tablet computers, notebooks, and the like. In one example, the accessory may be a cover that protrudes, aids in identification, and / or improves the aesthetics of the electronic device. Other accessories include reading light, power source, docking station, additional storage, security chain to prevent theft, stand ), Surface mounts, and the like. An attachment mechanism removably couples the accessory to the electronic device.

An attachment mechanism with a low profile is described. This attachment mechanism allows for attaching and detaching accessories without tools while providing positive engagement between the accessory and the electronic device. In the case where the accessory is a cover, the attachment mechanism attaches the cover so that the cover can be fully open or folded under the electronic device, and the port or electronics on the edge of the electronic device adjacent to the fold in the cover. This can minimize interference with buttons mounted on the outer periphery of the device.

In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism includes a first hook (or latch arm) and a second hook (or latch arm) coupled to the base. The electronic device includes engagement features, such as a slot or slots, which are complementary to the hooks. Within an electronic device, there may be multiple coupling features, such as two or more coupling slots, or a single coupling feature, such as one slot or channel.

In one particular embodiment, the first hook can be moveably engaged to a portion of the base, and a spring arranged in the base keeps the first hook normally latched or engaged. do. In this embodiment the second hook is fixedly engaged and curved to a portion of the base that is distal to the first hook. Also more than two hooks may be used.

In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism can provide an electrical connection. For example, the hook may carry a current for signaling or power. The hook may be a single conductor that provides a single current path or may comprise a plurality of conductors insulated from each other. For example, the top conductive layer can be separated from the bottom conductive layer by an insulator to form two conductive pathways. Alternatively, a non-conductive hook, or a hook coated with an insulator, may have a plurality of conductive traces arranged along the hook.

The detailed description will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, the left-most digit (s) of a reference number indicates the drawing in which the reference number first appears. Using the same reference numerals in different drawings indicates that they are similar or identical elements.
1 diagrammatically illustrates the gradual coupling of an exemplary accessory with an accessory mount with an electronic device.
2 is a perspective view of the accessory mount of FIG.
3 shows the accessory mount of FIG. 1 coupling the example cover to an e-book reader.
4 is a perspective view of a first hook of the accessory mount of FIG.
FIG. 5A is an overhead view of the first hook of FIG. 4. FIG.
FIG. 5B is an end view of the first hook of FIG. 4. FIG.
5C is a side view of the first hook of FIG. 4.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second hook of the accessory mount of Figure 1;
FIG. 7A is a top view of the second hook of FIG. 6; FIG.
FIG. 7B is an end view of the second hook of FIG. 6; FIG.
FIG. 7C is a side view of the second hook of FIG. 6. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the accessory mount of FIG. 1 showing a spring mechanism and a first and second hook arrangement. FIG.
9 illustrates another embodiment of an accessory mount, wherein the hooks protrude substantially perpendicularly from the body of the accessory mount.
FIG. 10A illustrates another embodiment of an accessory mount in which the compression spring maintains the engaged hook.
10B illustrates another embodiment of an accessory mount, in which the extension spring maintains the engaged hook.
FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of an accessory mount, with two hooks movably coupled to the body of the accessory mount.
12 illustrates another embodiment of an accessory mount, wherein the two hooks are fixedly coupled to the body of the accessory mount, and the movable latch extends from the body to engage a hole on the electronic device.
13 shows numerical values of one embodiment of an electronic device configured to use the accessory mount of FIG. 1.

How to attach an electronic device to the accessory

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the gradual coupling of an exemplary accessory 104 with an accessory mount 100 to an electronic device 112. An accessory 104, such as a cover, can be attached to the electronic device 112 using the accessory mount 100. In this example, accessory mount 100 includes a body 102, a first hook 106, and a second hook 110. The body 102 may be substantially flat and low-profile. The first hook 106 is movably coupled to the body 102 and includes a button 108 for actuation by a user. The second hook 110 is fixedly engaged to the body 102 at a distance D1 along the body 102 from the first hook 106. The distance D1 extends from the top edge of the first hook to the top edge of the second hook. The distance D2 extends between the outermost edges of the second hook and the first hook.

The electronic device 112 includes a first slot 114 forming an inner coupling space and a second slot 116 forming an inner coupling space. The first slot 114 and the second slot 116 are complementary to the first hook 106 and the second hook 110, respectively, and the first hook 106 and the second hook 110, respectively. It is configured to be mechanically coupled to). The distance D1 may be any distance suitable for coupling to the slots 114 and 116 or other engagement features above the electronic device. In the illustrated electronic device 112, the distance D1 may be at least about 90 millimeters (mm) and at most about 150 mm. In yet another example, the distance D1 may be between about 91 mm and about 105 mm. In yet another example, the distance D1 may be between about 91 mm and about 99 mm. The distance D2 may be at least about 90 mm and at most about 165 mm. The distance D3 shows the distance between the inner coupling space of the second slot 116 inside the electronic device 112 and the outermost edges of the inner coupling space of the first slot 114. The distance D3 may be between at least about 90 mm and at most about 165 mm. Of course, in other embodiments, the distances D1 and D3 may be longer or shorter than this.

The shape shown in FIG. 1 allows the accessory to be attached in a simple but non-obstructive manner. Dotted line 118 outlines the electronic device 112 during attachment. The dotted line 122 represents the outline of the electronic device 112 after attachment. The attachment process begins by placing the second hook 110 of the accessory mount 100 into the second slot 116 of the electronic device 112, as shown. The electronic device 112 is then typically moved in a direction toward the first hook 106 along an arc adjacent to the second hook 110, which is indicated by arrow 120. When in the attached shape (shown in dashed line 122), the first hook 106 is engaged with the first slot 114 of the electronic device 112, where the second hook 110 is a second one. Is coupled with the slot 116.

The detachment takes place in the reverse order, whereby the user presses the button 108 to move the first hook along the direction 124 (in this example, towards the second hook 110), thereby providing a first hook. Disengaged (106). Once the first hook 106 is removed, the user pivots the electronic device 112 away from the first hook 106 to detach the accessory mount 100 from the second hook 110.

2 is a perspective view 200 illustrating the accessory mount of FIG. 1 without the electronic device 112.

3 is a perspective view 300 showing the accessory mount of FIG. 1 coupling an exemplary cover accessory 104 to an e-book reader electronic device 112, wherein the cover accessory 104 is fully open. When the front cover of the cover accessory 104 is folded along the direction of the arrow 302, the cover accessory 104 is folded and opened. The dashed line 304 shows the cover accessory 104 in the folded open shape and the cover folded at the bottom of the electronic device. As described above, in the folded open shape, the user has unobstructed accessibility to the edge equipped with the buttons 306 arranged along the perimeter of the device adjacent to the edge equipped with the engagement feature. Has

4 is a perspective view 400 illustrating the first hook 106 of the accessory mount of FIG. 1. The first hook 106 further includes a first hook body 402. The first hook body 402 has a button 108 for the user to manipulate the first hook 106. This button 108 may be an extension of the first hook body 402, or a separate portion secured to the first hook body 402. A first hook 106 with a first hook barb 404 extends from the first hook body 402, which first complements the first slot 114. And is coupled to the electronic device 112. The first hook body 402 can have a spring engagement feature 406. The spring engagement feature 406 is engaged with a spring to bias the first hook 106 to a latched position when the user does not pressurize the button 108. The first hook body 402 can have one or more ribs 408 to stiffen the first hook body 402, or a matching feature to the body 102. ) Can be movably combined, or both.

FIG. 5A is a plan view 5A00 showing the first hook 106 of FIG. The distance 5A02 from the inner edge of the button 108 to the inner edge of the first hook barb 404 along the first hook 106 is about 2.16 mm. The distance 5A04 from the inner edge of the button 108 to the end of the first hook 106 is about 5.36 mm. A distance 5A06 substantially perpendicular to the distance 5A02 extends from the edge of the shaft of the first hook 106 to the tip of the first hook barb 404 and this distance 5A06 is approximately 1.5mm. Before widening to form the first hook barb 404, the width of the shaft of the first hook 106 is about 2.46 mm.

FIG. 5B is an end view 5B00 illustrating the first hook of FIG. 4. A first hook vertical member 5B02 is shown extending between the first hook body 402 and the first hook 106. A standoff distance 5B04 is formed by the thickness of the electronic device 112 and the placement of other coupling features or slots 114, 116 over the electronic device 112. In this figure, the separation distance 5B04 is about 3.7 mm. Also shown in the figure is a first hook 106 and a first hook barb 404 substantially arranged in a plane parallel to the plane of the first hook body 402. The thickness of the first hook 106, denoted by reference 5B06, is about 0.8 mm.

FIG. 5C is a side view 5C00 illustrating the first hook 106 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view 600 showing the second hook 110 of the accessory mount 100 of FIG. 1. The second hook 110 can have a second hook body 602 with mounting holes 604 for attaching with other coupling features or slots of the accessory 104.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of the second hook of FIG. 6. A visual indicator 7A02 may be provided over the second hook 110. This visual indicator 7A02 guides the user appropriately to facilitate attachment of the electronic device to the accessory. The visible indicator can be cut out, painted, etched, embossed, or otherwise rendered on the surface as shown in FIG. 7A. have. FIG. 7A also shows the curvature of the second hook 110 with a radius R relative to the center C, with the distal end of the second hook 110 from the first hook 106. It is pointing in a direction far away. In one illustrated embodiment, the radius R is about 4.85 mm. The length of the arc of the curve formed by the second hook 110 may be at least about 3 mm and at most about 8 mm. In this example, the width 7A04 of the second hook 110 is about 5.1 mm.

FIG. 7B is an end view of the second hook 110 of FIG. 6. A second hook vertical member 7B02 is shown extending between the second hook body 602 and the second hook 110. The separation distance 7B04 is formed by the thickness of the electronic device 112 and the location of other coupling features or slots 114, 116 over the electronic device 112. In this figure, the separation distance 7B04 is about 3.7 mm. Also shown in this figure is a second hook 110 that is substantially arranged in a plane parallel to the plane of the second hook body 602. The thickness of the second hook 110, indicated by reference 7B06, is about 0.8 mm.

FIG. 7C is a side view of the second hook of FIG. 6. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the accessory mount 100 of FIG. 1 showing the spring mechanism and the internal arrangement of the first and second hooks. The first hook 106 is attached to the first hook body 402. The first hook body 402 is coupled to the spring 802 via a spring engagement feature 406. The spring 802 may be a compression spring. The spring 802 may be made of music wire, flat stock, foam, plastic, or other elastic materials. In another embodiment, a plurality of magnetic members, detent mechanisms, cam mechanisms, or interference features may replace the spring 802.

Guide features 804 may be arranged around the first hook body 402 to limit the movement of the first hook body 402 to a predetermined area. Alternatively, guide features, including ribs or channels, may be formed in the body 102 and combined with the ribs 408 over the first clip body 402.

In this figure, the spring 802 has a distal end in contact with the guide member 804 and has a proximate end coupled by a spring engagement feature 406 over the first hook body 402. It is a compression spring. When the user exerts a force on the button 108 in the 124 direction, the first hook 106 and the first hook body 402 attached thereto compress the spring 802 and cause a first slot in the electronic device 112. Disengaged the first hook 106 from 114. For example, a first hook may be attached to the body 102 in a fixed manner, and the second hook 110 latches the second hook 110 when the user does not pressurize the second hook 110. It is movably coupled to body 102 using a spring to deflect to a positioned position.

In FIG. 8 shown, the direction of separation 124 is the direction facing the second hook 110. However, in other examples, the direction 124 may be a direction away from the second hook 11, or any other coupling feature or first from the first slot 114 within the electronic device 112. It may be in another direction, such as formed by a mechanism for separating the one hook barb 404.

9 illustrates another embodiment 900 of an accessory mount to which a reading light 902 is attached. In this embodiment, the first hook 904 and the curved second hook 906 protrude substantially perpendicularly from the body 908 of the accessory mount. The first hook 904 can move along the 910 direction toward the curved second hook 906 to detach the accessory mount 900 from the electronic device 112. An additional engagement feature 912 located between the first hook 904 and the curved second hook 906 may protrude substantially vertically from the body 908. The additional coupling feature 912 can provide additional structural strength for coupling between the electronic device 112 and the accessory mount 900.

10A shows another embodiment 10A00 of an accessory mount. The first hook 10A02 is movably coupled with the body 10A04. Combination of first hook 10A02 until compression spring 10A06 engages body 10A04 and first hook 10A02 until pressure is applied to button 10A08 that is fixedly coupled to first hook 10A02. Maintain in an engaged configuration. A curved second hook 10A10 is fixedly coupled to the body 10A04 at a distal distance from the first hook 10A02. Compared to the accessory mount 100 of FIG. 1, the accessory mount 10A00 does not have a vertical standoff member, so the first hook 10A08 and the second hook 10A10 together with the body 10A04. It is in a straight line. In addition, accessory mount 10A00 is provided for a pushbutton to separate the accessory cover instead of sliding the button 108 over the accessory mount 100.

10B shows another embodiment 10B00 of an accessory mount. The first hook 10B02 is movably coupled with the body 10B04. An extension spring 10B06 engages the body 10B04 and the first hook 10B02 so that pressure is applied to the button 10B08, which is in a fixed manner coupled to the first hook 10B02, until the first hook ( 10B02) in the combined shape. The curved second hook 10B10 is fixedly coupled to the body 10B04 at a distal distance from the first hook 10B02. Compared to accessory mount 10A00 of FIG. 10A, accessory mount 10B00 uses an extension spring.

11 illustrates another embodiment 1100 of an accessory mount. The first hook 1102 and the second hook 1104 are movably engaged with the body 1106 and protrude from the body 1106. The first hook 1102 can move along the direction 1108 substantially toward the second hook 1104. The second hook 1104 can move toward the first hook 1102 substantially along the direction 1110. The first hook 1102 and the second hook 1104 may move independently of one another or may move simultaneously with each other. The electronic device 112 is detached from the accessory mount 1100 by moving one or both hooks substantially toward each other, thereby detaching the hooks from the complementary slots in the electronic device 112. The electronic device 112 and the accessory mount 1100 are separated.

In some embodiments, additional engagement features 1112 located between first hook 1102 and second hook 1104 may protrude substantially vertically from body 1106. The additional coupling feature 1112 can provide additional structural strength for coupling between the electronic device 112 and the accessory mount 1100.

12 illustrates another embodiment 1200 of an accessory mount. A first hook 1202 with a first hook barb 1204 and a second hook 1206 with a second hook body 1208 are fixedly mounted to the body 1210 of the accessory mount. First hook 1202 and second hook 1206 are arranged with respective hook barbs 1204 and 1208 pointing in substantially the same direction. The latch 1212 extends from the body 1210 to engage with a recess or hole over the electronic device 112. Attached by arranging the first hook 1202 and the second hook 1206 in any other coupling feature or complementary slots on the electronic device 112. Thereafter, the electronic device 112 is slid along the direction indicated by the arrow 1214 until the first hook 1202 and the second hook 1206 are engaged with the respective slots, and the latch 1212. Are coupled to complementary holes or recesses in the electronic device 112. The accessory mount 1200 and the electronic device 112 may be separated by sliding the electronic device 112 in the opposite direction indicated by the arrow 1214 and by removing the latch 1212.

FIG. 13 illustrates numerical values of one particular embodiment of an electronic device 1300 configured to use the accessory mount of FIG. 1. The distance from the first slot entry edge to the second slot entry edge, indicated by reference 1302, is about 93.6 mm. Each slot entry 1304 is about 5.7 mm wide. At 1306, each slot entry extends about 2.4 mm into the device before opening into the inner engagement space. The distance 1308 from the outer perimeter of the case of the electronic device 1300 to the innermost point of the inner coupling space is about 6.9 mm. The distance 1310 from the vertex in the corner adjacent to the first slot entry to the nearest first slot entry edge is about 56 mm. Other electronic device embodiments may have values greater or smaller than this.

Bases, hooks, springs, and other components may be stamped, milled, molded, formed, or combined with metals, plastics, or composites. The same may be made using other fabrication methods suitable for the material selected.

Article 1

An accessory mount for an electronic book reader device,

The accessory mount is:

A base;

A first hook configured to engage a first slot in an electronic book reader, the first hook comprising a substantially planar engagement member movably coupled to the base and having barbs;

A spring configured to bias the first hook into a latched shape; And

A second hook configured to couple a second slot to the electronic book reader, the second hook pointing in a direction substantially away from the first hook and forming an arc in a single plane with a distal end And an engaging member having a curved line, wherein the second hook is fixed to the base.

Section 2

The method of claim 1,

And the distance between the second hook and the outermost edges of the first hook comprises at least about 90 mm and at most about 150 mm.

Section 3

The method of claim 1,

The first hook comprises a substantially planar shaft, the second hook comprises a substantially planar shaft, and the shafts of the first hook and the second hook are planes substantially parallel to the plane of the base. Accessory mount for an electronic book reader device, characterized in that the interior.

Article 4

The method of claim 1,

At least one of the first hook or the second hook is configured to form an electrically conductive pathway between the accessory mount and the electronic device.

Article 5

An electronic device accessory mount,

The electronic device accessory mount is:

An accessory body;

A first latch arm movably attached to the accessory body;

An electronic device accessory mount comprising a second latch arm fixedly attached to the accessory body and forming an arc guided away from the first latch arm.

Article 6

The method of claim 5,

And the first latch arm and the second latch arm are arranged in substantially the same plane.

Article 7

The method of claim 5,

And the first latch arm and the accessory body are a single part.

Article 8

The method of claim 5,

And the at least one latch arm is configured to form an electrical connection between the accessory mount and the electronic device.

Article 9

The method of claim 8,

And the electrical connection comprises a circuit trace attached to each latch arm (s).

Article 10

An electronic device accessory mount,

The electronic device accessory mount is:

A first hook attached to the accessory mount body;

A second hook at a distance from the first hook and attached to the accessory mount body, wherein the distance is at least about 90 mm and at most about 150 mm measured from the outer edge of the first hook to the outer edge of the second hook. Electronic device accessories mount.

Article 11

11. The method of claim 10,

And at least one latch arm is configured to form a plurality of discontinuous conduction paths between the accessory mount and the electronic device.

Article 12

11. The method of claim 10,

And the second hook comprises a substantially planar curved body.

Article 13

11. The method of claim 10,

And the first hook and the second hook are arranged in substantially the same plane.

Article 14

11. The method of claim 10,

And the first hook and the second hook are arranged in a substantially parallel plane.

Article 15

11. The method of claim 10,

And the first hook, or the second hook, or both, are movably coupled to the accessory mount body.

Article 16

A system for attaching an electronic device to an accessory, the system comprising:

The system is:

A plurality of engagement hooks arranged around the accessory body, one or more of the hooks being curved; And

An electronic device having one or more engagement features complementary to a plurality of hooks, the hooks engaging the coupling feature to attach the electronic device to the accessory body, System for attaching electronic devices to accessories.

Article 17

The method of claim 16,

And wherein the accessory body is arranged below the bottom surface of the electronic device and adjacent to the bottom surface of the electronic device.

Article 18

The method of claim 16,

One of the plurality of coupling hooks is configured to release the attached electronic device and is movably coupled with the accessory body.

Article 19

The method of claim 16,

And a portion of the coupling feature above the electronic device is configured to separate the coupling hook.

Article 20

The method of claim 16,

And the coupling feature above the electronic device is a single slot or channel.

Article 21

The method of claim 16,

And the distance between the outermost edges of the coupling features is at least about 90 mm and at most about 165 mm.

Article 22

The method of claim 16,

And the plurality of hooks comprises three or more hooks.

conclusion

Although the main subject matter of the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological behaviors, the main subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features, figures or behaviors described herein. It should be understood that no. Rather, the specific features, figures, and behaviors are described as example forms of implementing the claims. Moreover, any features of any of the devices described herein can be implemented in a variety of materials or similar shapes.

Claims (15)

An accessory mount for an electronic book reader device,
The accessory mount is:
A base;
A first hook configured to engage a first slot in an electronic book reader, the first hook comprising a planar engagement member moveably engaged to the base and having a barb; ;
A spring configured to bias the first hook into a latched shape; And
A second hook configured to couple a second slot to the electronic book reader, the second hook pointing in a direction away from the first hook and forming an arc in a single plane with a distal end And an engaging member having a second hook, said second hook being fixed to said base. The method of claim 1,
The first hook comprises a shaft in a plane, the second hook comprises a shaft in a plane, and the shafts of the first hook and the second hook are in a plane parallel to the plane of the base. Accessory mount for the electronic book reader unit. The method of claim 1,
At least one of the first hook or the second hook is configured to form an electrically conductive pathway between the accessory mount and the electronic device. An electronic device accessory mount,
The electronic device accessory mount is:
An accessory body;
A first latch arm movably attached to the accessory body;
An electronic device accessory mount comprising a second latch arm fixedly attached to the accessory body and forming an arc guided away from the first latch arm. The method of claim 4, wherein
And the first latch arm and the second latch arm are arranged in the same plane. The method of claim 4, wherein
And the at least one latch arm is configured to form an electrical connection between the accessory mount and the electronic device. An electronic device accessory mount,
The electronic device accessory mount is:
A first hook attached to the accessory mount body;
A second hook at a distance from the first hook and attached to the accessory mount body, wherein the distance is at least about 90 mm and at most about 150 mm measured from the outer edge of the first hook to the outer edge of the second hook. Electronic device accessories mount. The method of claim 7, wherein
And at least one latch arm is configured to form a plurality of discrete electrical conduction paths between the accessory mount and the electronic device. The method of claim 7, wherein
And the second hook comprises a planar curved body. The method of claim 7, wherein
And the first hook, or the second hook, or both, are movably coupled to the accessory mount body. A system for attaching an electronic device to an accessory, the system comprising:
The system comprises:
A plurality of engagement hooks arranged around the accessory body, one or more of the hooks being curved; And
An electronic device having one or more engagement features complementary to a plurality of hooks, the hooks engaging the coupling feature to attach the electronic device to the accessory body, System for attaching electronic devices to accessories. 12. The method of claim 11,
One of the plurality of coupling hooks is configured to release the attached electronic device and is movably coupled with the accessory body. 12. The method of claim 11,
And a portion of the coupling feature above the electronic device is configured to separate the coupling hook. 12. The method of claim 11,
And the coupling feature above the electronic device is a single slot or channel. 12. The method of claim 11,
And the distance between the outermost edges of the coupling features is at least about 90 mm and at most about 165 mm.

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